Disposable urinal strainer with supporting and positioning means for holding a solid chemical material

ABSTRACT

A solid block of deodorant chemical material is snugly fitted inside a collar projecting away from a plastic plate having a plurality of drainage holes therein. A post in the center of the collar projects away from the plate by a distance equal to or greater than the projection distance of the collar. This gives an erosion pattern whereby substantially all of the chemical is used before it erodes to a degree where it is no longer supported and positioned by the collar.

United States Patent Brownstein [5 DISPOSABLE URINAL STRAINER WITH A SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEANs FOR HOLDING A SOLID CHEMICAL MATERIAL [75] A Inventor: 'Henry J. Brownstein, Chicago, Ill. [73] Assignee: Hysan Corporation, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: June 11, 1971 [21] Appl; No.: 152,282

[52] US. Cl. 4/109, 4/222 [51] Int. Cl E03d 13/00 [58] Field of Search 4/109, 222, 231

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,597,772 8/1971 Leavitt 4/222 3,529,309 9/1970 Leavitt et a1... 4/231 1,083,561 1/1914 Rising 4/231 1,430,598 10/1922 S1eight.... 4/109 2,718,013 9/1955 Rajnick... 4/109 1,208,675 12/1916 Sleight,... 4/109 1,260,082 3/1918 Sleight 4/109 1,880,962 10/1932 Koppelman 4/109 1,916,357 7/1933 Brownstein 4/109 2,813,631 11/1957 Odman 210/359 3,170,169 2/1965 Clark 4/109 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 72,266 12/1893 Germany 4/222 937,640 l/l956 Germany 4/231 1,915,249 10/1970 Germany 4/109 Primary Examiner-J-larvey C. Hornsby Assistant Examiner-Donald B. Massenberg Att0rney--Louis Bernat [5 7 ABSTRACT 10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures DISPOSABLE URINAL STRAINER WITH SUPPORTING AND POSITIONING MEANS FOR HOLDING A SOLID CHEMICAL MATERIAL FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a preferred method of mounting and supporting the strainer and support; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 show alternative supporting methods.

A conventional urinal (FIG. 1) comprises a vertical This invention relates to chemical deodorant matebowl with a fresh water inlet 12 at the top and a rial supporting and positioning means and more particularly to such means for use in urinals. In particular, the invention provides for the use of blocks of solid deodorant-antibacterial chemicals.

The reasons for using deodorant-antibacterial chemiforeign objects from clogging the urinal drain. A thirdconsideration is to provide means for separating the chemical blockfrom the debris and to make it easy to remove the debris without simultaneously removing the chemical block.

Another consideration is to make the most efficient use of the chemical deodorant. Usually, the principle is that the block of solid chemical material slowly dissolves and releases the active ingredients as the block erodes. However, as the block erodes, it becomes smaller and no longer fits into the conventional support; thus, the blockis effectively discarded before it is completely dissolved. When efforts are made to solve the problem as by hanging the chemical block on a wire passing'through. a hole therein, the wire tends to melt its way through the block. Again, there is an uneconomical waste of the. chemical.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a chemical antibacterial deodorant block support adapted toprovide a controlled erosion with maximum utilization of the chemical until the block is almost completely disintegrated. Here, an'object is to provide a means for easily separating the chemical block from debris which accumulates around the block. In particular, an object is to accomplish these and other objects continuously and throughout substantially the entire life of the block even after it is almost completely eroded away.

The nature of the invention support for accomplishing these and other objects may be understood best from a study of the following description in connection with the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a urinal with the inventive strainer and deodorant chemical block support in lace; p- FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the strainer and deodorant chemical block support;

FIG. 2A shows a tool used to remove and install the strainer of FIG. 2 in the urinal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the strainer of FIG. 2 with a fresh block of chemical deodorant in place;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the chemical deodorant block of FIG. 3 in an -uneroded condition;

FIG. 5 is a similar cross-sectional view of the chemical deodorant block about half eroded;

FIG. 6 is a similar cross-sectional view with the chemical deodorant block almost completely eroded;

drain Ill at the bottom. A generally triangular plastic screen strainer and support 13 is located at the bottom.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the strainer and support 13 comprises a preferably triangular plastic plate 14 having a plurality of drainage openings 15 spread substantially uniformly over the entire surface. Molded as a unit with the strainer are a pair of hooks, arms or prongs 16, 17 separated by a weakened and easily broken area 18. A pair of upstanding loops or lift areas 22, 23 are oppositely disposed on the edge of the strainer. A generally Y-shaped fork-like device (FIG. 2A) may be hooked under the loops 22, 23 to lift the strainer out of the urinal.

Centrally located in the strainer is an upstanding circular collar 25 dimensioned and proportioned to fit snugly around the deodorant chemical block 26. The collar 25 projects outwardly from the plate by a discrete distance which is adequate to grip the block of chemical material. The bottom of the strainer area, surrounded by the collar 25, has a spider of radial arms for supporting an upstanding central post 27, preferably in the form of a hollow cylinder.

FIGS. 4-6 show how the deodorant chemical block erodes during usage. More particularly, the block 26 is preferably molded in a dome shape with a flat back and a central recess 29 to fit over the upstanding post 27. The dimensions are such that the collar 25 fits around the base of the dome tightly enough to prevent water from significantly eroding the base. Thus, as the arrows 30 symbolically indicate, the water entering the urinal at inlet 12 in conjunction with associated air current washes and creates an erosive effect over the top of the dome on block 26' before leaving through the drain I 1. Reduced erosion occurs at the rearward portion of the block or in the base area around the collar 25. Thus, the major erosion occurs at the top of the dome.

With repeated flushing, the top of the dome erodes as shown in FIG. 5. Eventually, the erosion reaches the post 27. Ideally, this should occur when the chemical block is about 60 percent to percent dissolved. As indicated by the arrows 31, the water can now begin to attack the center of the chemical block. Thus, the center of the block begins to erode. However, the collar 25 continues to prevent significant erosion at the base edge of the chemical block 26, thus giving the block a somewhat doughnut shape (FIG. 6) near the end of its life. Nevertheless, the snug fit remains, and, with normal usage, the deodorant chemical block is fully supported until less than 5-10 percent of the total original chemical block remains.

While any suitable chemical deodorant materials may be used, paradichlorobenzene or dichlorobenzene are preferred. Other bacteriostatic deodorant materials may be used such as naphthalene, camphor, biphenyl, paraformaldehyde, metaldehyde, and related compounds, singularly and/or in combination with various types of surfactants or detergent germicides which are slightly soluble in water such as potassium permanganate, sodium bicarbonate, high molecular weight polyethylene glycols, partially soluble non-ionic ethoxylated nonyl phenol and the metallo-stearates.

When the deodorant detergent chemical block finally does erode or sublimes to a point where the collar 25 no longer supports it, its chemical action will have been dispensed substantially uniformly and efficiently over its lifetime.

During the time while a deodorant detergent chemical block is dissolving or evaporating, it will be necessary to repeatedly remove the strainer 13 and clean the urinal. Thus, a somewhat Y-shaped tool (preferably made of rigid plastic material) is provided with a handle 35 (FIG. 2A), a stem 36, and two tines 37, 38. The tine 37 fits under a loop 22 molded into the strainer 13, and the tine 38 fits under a similar loop 23. Thus, the strainer (with the block 26 in place) may be lifted out and replaced in the urinal any number of times.

To support and position the strainer 13 when in.

place, the weakened area 18 (FIG. 1) may be broken and the hooks, arms or prongs 16, 17 may be rotated as indicated by the arrows A, B (FIG. 7). When the arms 16, 17 are projecting outwardly, at approximately 90, they fit into drainage holes 39, 40 in the bottom of the urinal. At the time of original installation, the strainer unit is in its original sanitary condition and is not objectionable to handle. After the strainer has been in place for a while, the natural cold flow of the plastic material causes the arms l6, 17 to assume the proper spacing of the drainage holes 39, 40. Hence, it is thereafter very easy to remove and install the strainer with the tool of FIG. 2A.

Other support methods include first permanent anchor means in the form of a small section of waterproof tape 45 (FIG. 9) which may be permanently secured to the inside surface of the urinal 10. Second anchor means in the form of a similar tape 46 is secured to the back of the strainer 14. The orientation is such that the two tape sections 45, 46 properly position the strainer when in place in the urinal. While any suitable material may be used for the tape sections 45, 46, the invention contemplates a mechanical interconnection, magnetic attraction or a Velcro type of hook and eye fabric connection.

Yet another method comprises installation of a small rubber suction cup 50 (FIG. 10) in the urinal. This could include one or more suction cups molded into the plastic material on the back surface of the strainer 14. The cup 50 may also be cemented to the inside of the urinal 10. A particularly attractive structure using this arrangement incorporates a ball and socket 51 connection between the cup 50 and the rod 52. This way, the strainer may be attached to the end of the rod 52. Thus, the strainer may be lifted and lowered by the simple expedient of causing the ball on rod 52 to swivel in the socket in cup 50.

Other and further objects and advantages will readily occur to those who are skilled in the art. Therefore, the appended claims are to be construed to cover all equivalent structures.

I claim:

1. A urinal deodorant chemical block support and positioning device in the form of a strainer comprising a large plate-like portion having a plurality of drainage openings distributed over its surface, said plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, an upstanding closed collar means substantially free of drainage holes integrally formed on said upper surface for receiving and supporting a deodorant chemical block, the interior of said collar having a closed floor, substantially free of drainage holes, said integral collar means projecting away from said upper surface, the collar and floor completing a closed supporting and positioning means for surrounding and protecting from erosion at least a portion of the base of said chemical block, and means also integrally formed on said upper surface intermediate the collar perimeter and projecting away from said upper surface at least as far as said collar projects away from said upper surface, the base of said deodorant chemical block having a peripheral contour which fits into said collar snugly enough to preclude erosion of the said block, and an opening in the base of said block which fits over said intermediate projection, whereby said block erodes from its outermost surface to approximately the level of said projecting means and then erodes centrally about said projecting means before eroding under said collar.

2. The device of claim 1 and loop means on the upper surface of said plate for engaging manipulating means which may be used to lift and manipulate said device.

3. The device of claim 1 and arm means formed integrally on said plate-like portion, said arm means having a section which enables said arm means to be rotated to project away from said plate, and said arm means being positioned to fit into a drainage opening in said urinal.

4. The device of claim 1 and first anchor means attached to the inner wall means of said urinal, and second anchor means on said plate for removably attaching said strainer to said anchor means.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said anchor means comprises a magnetic material.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said anchor means comprises a hook and fabric material.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein said anchor means includes a ball and socket swivel.

8. The device of claim 4 wherein said anchor means includes a suction cup.

9. A urinal deodorant solid chemical block support and positioning device in the form of a generally triangular strainer comprising a large plate-like portion having a plurality of drainage openings substantially uniformly distributed over its surface, said plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, elongated arm means formed integrally along one edge of said triangular plate-like portion with a weakened section near the center thereof, said arm means having oppositely disposed end sections which enable said arm means to be broken at the weakened center and then the two arms formed by said break to be rotated at the end sections to project away from said plate, said two arms being positioned to fit into drainage openings in a urinal, loop means on the upper surface of said plate for engaging manipulating means which may be used to lift and manipulate said device, closed collar means surrounding a floor member, said collar and floor being substantially free of drainage holes and integrally formed on the projecting away from said upper surface of said plate for receiving and supporting a deodorant chemical block, means also integrally formed on said upper surface of said plate at approximately the center of the collar perimeter and projecting away from said upper surface at least as far as said collar projects away from said upper surface, said deodorant chemical block having a generally dome shape with a peripheral contour at the base of said dome which fits into said collar snugly enough to support and to preclude erosion of said block, and an opening in the base of said domeshaped block, said opening fitting over said projection, whereby said block erodes from the outward top of its dome-shaped surface to approximately the level of said 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said collar is a circular cylinder, and a spider integrally formed in said plate inside said circular area, said-projection being projecting means and then erodes centrally'about said 5 Supported at the center of said spiderprojecting means before eroding under said collar. 

1. A urinal deodorant chemical block support and positioning device in the form of a strainer comprising a large plate-like portion having a plurality of drainage openings distributed over its surface, said plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, an upstanding closed collar means substantially free of drainage holes integrally formed on said upper surface for receiving and supporting a deodorant chemical block, the interior of said collar having a closed floor, substantially free of drainage holes, said integral collar means projecting away from said upper surface, the collar and floor completing a closed supporting and positioning means for surrounding and protecting from erosion at least a portion of the base of said chemical block, and means also integrally formed on said upper surface intermediate the collar perimeter and projecting away from said upper surface at least as far as said collar projects away from said upper sUrface, the base of said deodorant chemical block having a peripheral contour which fits into said collar snugly enough to preclude erosion of the said block, and an opening in the base of said block which fits over said intermediate projection, whereby said block erodes from its outermost surface to approximately the level of said projecting means and then erodes centrally about said projecting means before eroding under said collar.
 2. The device of claim 1 and loop means on the upper surface of said plate for engaging manipulating means which may be used to lift and manipulate said device.
 3. The device of claim 1 and arm means formed integrally on said plate-like portion, said arm means having a section which enables said arm means to be rotated to project away from said plate, and said arm means being positioned to fit into a drainage opening in said urinal.
 4. The device of claim 1 and first anchor means attached to the inner wall means of said urinal, and second anchor means on said plate for removably attaching said strainer to said anchor means.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said anchor means comprises a magnetic material.
 6. The device of claim 4 wherein said anchor means comprises a hook and fabric material.
 7. The device of claim 4 wherein said anchor means includes a ball and socket swivel.
 8. The device of claim 4 wherein said anchor means includes a suction cup.
 9. A urinal deodorant solid chemical block support and positioning device in the form of a generally triangular strainer comprising a large plate-like portion having a plurality of drainage openings substantially uniformly distributed over its surface, said plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, elongated arm means formed integrally along one edge of said triangular plate-like portion with a weakened section near the center thereof, said arm means having oppositely disposed end sections which enable said arm means to be broken at the weakened center and then the two arms formed by said break to be rotated at the end sections to project away from said plate, said two arms being positioned to fit into drainage openings in a urinal, loop means on the upper surface of said plate for engaging manipulating means which may be used to lift and manipulate said device, closed collar means surrounding a floor member, said collar and floor being substantially free of drainage holes and integrally formed on the projecting away from said upper surface of said plate for receiving and supporting a deodorant chemical block, means also integrally formed on said upper surface of said plate at approximately the center of the collar perimeter and projecting away from said upper surface at least as far as said collar projects away from said upper surface, said deodorant chemical block having a generally dome shape with a peripheral contour at the base of said dome which fits into said collar snugly enough to support and to preclude erosion of said block, and an opening in the base of said dome-shaped block, said opening fitting over said projection, whereby said block erodes from the outward top of its dome-shaped surface to approximately the level of said projecting means and then erodes centrally about said projecting means before eroding under said collar.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said collar is a circular cylinder, and a spider integrally formed in said plate inside said circular area, said projection being supported at the center of said spider. 